All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. —Psalm 98:3

Mass Readings: 1 John 3:7-10 / John 1:35-42

New Names

When I first met my husband — as a shy, uncertain 18-year old school-leaver, taking a course in computers — little did I imagine that one day (last October!) we would be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary! Today’s Gospel describes the initial encounter between Jesus and Simon Peter. Jesus looked beyond present realities (a scared, skeptical sinner) to future possibilities (a faithful, faith-filled foundation stone of His Church). As in yesterday’s Gospel, the significance of names is highlighted: Cephas is no friendly nickname, but a calling.

At baptism, we receive the new name Christian, and becoming like Christ is our lifelong calling. This isn’t easy, but, as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) writes: “We know that he gives us every grace . . . and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to become the person You created me to be.